Mystery Starter Question

[Bruce Adams]

On Saturday my starter did not respond to the starter button AT ALL.
I Hit the "starter" with the headlights on and there was no dimming. I figured that meant the switch so I popped in a new switch and no change in results. I then popped the plugs and turned the shaft with my crank wrench with no particular restrictions.
I brought the starter to ANTIQUE FORD PARTS on Long Island and Bob Bader put six volts to it and it jumped to life.He felt it had jammed, causing the problem.
He returned it to me, I replaced the starter and it works perfectly for twenty starts in the past two days.
WHY, if it was BOUND, would the lights NOT GO DIM?
Thanks for your opinions

 

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

If you’re SURE the lights didn’t dim, when the starter was engaged, then it wasn’t stuck. When you removed it , you should have noticed it was still engaged with the flywheel. Start checking connections. Do you have a electrical disconnect?

 

[eagle]

Bad spot on the armature can cause this. Jog the starter a degree or so and it'll take off...until it happens to stop again in the exact spot.

 

[Patrick L.]

I feel the same as Eagle.

 

[Jerry in Shasta]

Next time tap it with a hammer, old Chev trick or a stuck brush.

 

[JBill]

Could it have been just a bad cable connection somewhere that was corrected when the starter was removed and then reinstalled? I've haven't had that happen with my A, but twice with my lawn tractor!!

 

[Bruce Adams]

Could it have been just a bad cable connection somewhere that was corrected when the starter was removed and then reinstalled? I've haven't had that happen with my A, but twice with my lawn tractor!!

Thanks.
Neat idea but the lights tap off the same stud which was bright and tight, and they headlights stayed bright as day when I pushed down on the starter rod. They light a reflective sign at .3 miles.
A defective safety switch would not have permitted bright headlights, particularly when starter was "Engaged".

 

[JBill]

Thanks.
Neat idea but the lights tap off the same stud which was bright and tight, and they headlights stayed bright as day when I pushed down on the starter rod. They light a reflective sign at .3 miles.
A defective safety switch would not have permitted bright headlights, particularly when starter was "Engaged".

Good luck finding the problem, and be sure to let us know what happens.